Ultrasound Procedures in Jasper, GA

Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a painless, radiation-free way for doctors to view organs and soft tissues. It is most often associated with monitoring fetal development, but ultrasound is also a very effective diagnostic tool.

During the ultrasound procedure, a transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that echo off of your organs and soft tissues. These echoes are interpreted by a computer that creates an image to be analyzed by a doctor or technician.

To learn more about how ultrasound screenings can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, or to schedule a consultation, please call (678) 496-2566 or contact Dr. Gail Ravello online.

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Your doctor can use ultrasound to diagnose the condition of your organs and soft tissues. Some of the parts of your body that can be viewed with ultrasound equipment include the:

Heart

Blood vessels

Liver

Gallbladder

Spleen

Pancreas

Kidneys

Bladder

Uterus

Ovaries

Eyes

Thyroid

Testicles

Breast tissues

This diagnostic process is done using an advanced ultrasound machine and may be performed by an ultrasound technician. Ultrasound equipment is designed to be safe, effective and painless.

There are several forms of ultrasound that can be used for other highly specific purposes. Some of the most common include:

Doppler ultrasound to examine the blood flow through the circulatory system

Bone sonography to diagnose osteoporosis

Echocardiogram for heart monitoring

3D imaging

4D imaging which adds motion to 3D images

Pregnancy Ultrasound

One of the most common applications for ultrasound diagnostics is to monitor the progress of a fetus in the womb. Because the procedure does not involve radiation, injections, or incisions, it is the safest way to view your baby. Some applications of ultrasound during pregnancy include:

Estimating due dates

Identifying twins

Identifying the child's gender

Spotting potential birth defects

Estimating the baby's size before delivery

Ultrasound for Physical Therapy

Ultrasound is sometimes used for physical therapy, due to the pain-relief that ultrasonic waves can provide. This type of ultrasound is called therapeutic ultrasound and it works by stimulating the tissue beneath your skin's surface.

By doing this, ultrasound can speed up your natural healing processes and increase blood flow. Therapeutic ultrasound may be used in the treatment of:

What Happens During an Ultrasound

During most ultrasound procedures, the only body area that needs to be exposed is the one being viewed. A technician will apply a water-based gel to the site being monitored, and will rub a wand on the surface of the skin. The whole procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

For certain internal exams, a probe is gently inserted into the body. Some of these tests include vaginal exams, prostate exams, or heart exams which are performed through the esophagus.

Screenings Save Lives

Interested in having an ultrasound diagnostic test or using ultrasound for physical therapy? To learn more about ultrasound, please call (678) 496-2566 or contact Dr. Gail Ravello online.